Collaborative Workplace Advantage
By
Daniel Robin
In our workshops, we emphasize the
skills of participatory management and collaborative leadership.
With collaborative approaches - in contrast with one-way, autocratic or
dictatorial - leaders at all levels use an inclusive style that balances
assertiveness (focus on goal or task achievement) with gaining cooperation
and commitment (flexibility and consideration in relating to others).
There are several sharp advantages to this approach and
(the best part) there are no significant downsides, except perhaps an upfront
investment of time that is perpetually scarce.
This is one of the few areas of business where there are no real tradeoffs or
conflicts of interest: if you
include people and treat them with respect, you won't pay a price (it
doesn't cost you or the company any more); in fact, inclusion and
participation makes for a better, more enjoyable and
productive workplace.
Let's say I have a project deadline this Friday, but I haven't yet received
key information from another departments. I made the request
last week, but I'm not getting them to uphold my
timeline. (The nerve! They think they
have better things to do!?!)
Sure, they understand how important this is (to me), but so far, no
accommodation. It turns out that, apparently, I
didn't include them early enough in the project to get their full buy-in.
Trying to negotiate now starts to sound like begging or blame.
I can appeal to their "team spirit" and espouse "all win"
platitudes, but this push-pull dynamic will, at best, end in compromise:
I'll probably get what I need a bit too late, and they'll grumble at
having to postpone other work to deliver our precious data.
What works better? If I had brought them in as partners and
established an up front, early agreement, it would likely save us both time and
trouble in the long-run. Nicknamed
"go slow to go fast," including others at the right time doesn't
require extra time (though you may
perceive that it is a cost, with skill, it is in fact an investment), nor is it giving
in to their wishes at your expense. It
is simply more effective, and clears the runway for future sustained success.
Might Makes . A Mess
Sure, you can still force "cooperation," especially if
you have positional power, but why needlessly risk backlash, resentment or
substandard results. Since no one
person can have all the answers, the chain-of-command approach often
"orders" mediocre quality. "I
did what you told me to do"
(unstated subtext: "so you get
what you deserve").
Understanding other people and using your "soft skills"
doesn't make you a "soft" leader. Quite
to the contrary, in fact; with practice, collaborative approaches can be more
powerful, enabling you to lead more strongly and quickly toward the desired
results. The more rapport you have,
for example, the more room there is for intensity and passion in leading toward
your goals, even and especially if there's disagreement about methods or
priorities. This is simply because
there's more of a genuine win-win when the other person feels included,
consulted, respected.
Interpersonally, you can be more directive once you
demonstrate that their views have been
acknowledged. It's the core
psychology of negotiation: we listen better once we've been heard.
Since You Asked
In subtle but powerful ways, asking questions takes the
attention off you and opens a more collaborative, two-way exchange.
Effective leaders use a coaching approach to draw out the other person's answers
and make abundant use of that person's will and wisdom.
Employees and executives both appreciate skillful facilitation and
coaching as a "best practice" for bringing focus and a sense of partnership
to projects and goals.
To collaborate, so-called "emotional intelligence" is
no oxymoron . people skills are the maker-breaker for those wishing to succeed
in business and advance in their career. However,
be sure not to spend time discussing issues in depth that do not deserve it, and
be aware that not everyone knows how nor necessarily values collaboration.
Due to the unpredictable and chaotic nature of human
interactions, skillful collaboration creates a context, a "social
environment" that allows people's differences to be the source of strength
and unity rather than stress and conflict.
But what makes collaboration
possible in the first place? See the next article (click the 
button below on the right). |
